Off-Key

Description

One Day at a Time meets Mindy Kim in this third book in a charming new chapter book series about Catalina Castaneda, a Mexican American girl with a magical sewing kit who wants to start a band. Catalina can't wait for the upcoming school talent show! Along with some of her classmates, they decide to rock out and form a band for the big day. But Catalina has some...specific ideas on how the band should look and sound. Can Catalina learn to be part of the band, or will she find herself working on a solo act?

Jennifer Torres is the award-winning author of Stef Soto, Taco Queen; The Fresh New Face of Griselda; and other books for young readers. She writes stories about home, friendship, and unexpected courage inspired by her Mexican American heritage. Jennifer started her career as a newspaper reporter, and even though she writes fiction now, she hopes her stories still have some truth in them. She lives with her family in Southern California. Gladys Jose is an illustrator and storyteller. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2012, where she earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts, specializing in graphic design. Gladys is the illustrator of Library Fish, Fresh Princess, The Elephants' Guide to Hide-and-Seek, and the Once Before Time chapter book series.

Gr 1-4-Catalina has put the magical sewing kit gifted to her by Tia Abuela to good use, sewing a disfraz every time she would like to use a costume to go incognito. The local library group, Stitch and Share, has been a great help, encouraging Catalina to try new things as she improves her sewing skills. As Catalina and her friends Ruthie, Soledad, and Pablo try out for the Valle Grande Elementary Talent Show as the Banda La Chispa, Catalina wants everything to be just right-from the lyrics to the song they will be singing to their matching vests. But when the title character's attempt to get the performance to be "just right" prevents her friends from trying something new and results in them leaving the band, Catalina begins to realize that maybe it is okay to do things differently. Fast-paced chapters pull readers in to Catalina's world, where they will get to see Catalina's magical sewing kit in action. Spanish words are used throughout, and black-and-white illustrations introduce readers to the protagonist and her friends. Catalina's world is bright and full of positivity from her family and friends; it's a world kids will want to revisit. VERDICT A fun and magical entry in the "Catalina Incognito" series, perfect for fiction collections for youth. -- School Library Journal * 9/23/2022 *